Some kinds of plants have adapted to growing in deep water to one metre and more; they are true aquatics. Water lilies(as shown), water hawthorn and water violet are examples of plant that can be grown in open water. Floating aquatics are plants that float in the water, such as pondweed and parrot feather. Others are marginals; they like shallow water at the pond’s edge; they include sweet flag, flowering rush, bullrushes and easter lily.

Further up the bank, there is a big group of plants that enjoys wet soil but not standing water for any great length of time. These are usually known as bog plants and include kingcups, certain polygonums, asian primulas, ligularia, certain irises, mimulus, peltiphyllum, gunnera, loosestrife, lysimachia, sedges, and lysichiton.